(New York, NY, June 1, 2011) NBCUniversal announced today the appointment of Beth Roberts as Chief Operating Officer, Universal Cable Productions, and Executive Vice President, Business Affairs, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment and Cable Studios, reporting to Chairman Bonnie Hammer. In her new capacity, Roberts will assume operational responsibilities for the strategic and financial growth of Universal Cable Productions, in addition to overseeing business affairs for USA Network, Syfy, E! Entertainment, G4, Sleuth, Chiller, Universal HD, UCP and E! production studios. UCP will continue to be headed by a four-person management team which reports directly to Hammer and includes, along with Roberts, Mark Stern, Co-Head, Original Content; Jeff Wachtel, Co-Head, Original Content; and Jerry DiCanio, Head of Production.

"As a business affairs executive, Beth has always struck a perfect balance between strategic vision and fiscal discipline," said Hammer. "That's exactly what we need to take UCP to the next level, so Beth's new role is an ideal expansion of her responsibilities."

In her previous role as Executive Vice President, Business Affairs, Cable Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions, Roberts directed the activities of the Business Affairs divisions of USA, Syfy, Bravo, Oxygen and UCP, including brand integration and digital content initiatives. In her new position, in addition to overseeing an expanded Business Affairs portfolio, Roberts will manage the continued growth of the production studio while identifying key strategic initiatives in the areas of content creation and business development. She will also oversee the studio's day-to-day operations.

In an earlier position at NBCU, Roberts served as Executive Vice President, Business Affairs, for the NBC Entertainment and Cable Entertainment Divisions. In that role, Roberts headed the Business Affairs department for the NBCUniversal broadcast and cable networks. She managed all network acquisitions and music services, including deals for pilots, series, specials, movies and miniseries, license fee agreements and reality programming. Before that position, Roberts managed the business affairs departments for NBC Network and NBC Studios as Senior Vice President.

Her other business affairs duties have included NBC Studios Business Affairs department head, supervising all talent and production negotiation for the NBC production studio, and Vice President, Business Affairs, NBC Entertainment. In that position, she was responsible for negotiating talent and program acquisitions for the NBC television network. Roberts began her career at the company as NBC Entertainment 's Director of Business Affairs. Earlier jobs in the industry included Director, Business Affairs and Legal for UPN; her first job in Hollywood was at the William Morris Agency, now WME Entertainment.